Free menstrual products will soon be available in Mississauga facilities
There will soon be free menstrual products available in City of Mississauga facilities.
Officials made the announcement in a news release issued Tuesday, saying that menstrual products will be made available by the end of October in at least one universal and/or female washroom in every city-run facility.
This includes recreation and cultural centres, libraries, park washrooms, courts and the city centre transit terminal.
“I’m so proud that Mississauga is offering free menstrual products at our City facilities,” Mayor Bonnie Crombie said in a statement. “No one should experience period poverty, regardless of their age or income. We are committed to removing these barriers, and providing free and easy access to those who need these supplies is the first step.”
Council approved the decision in an April meeting with the goal of having menstrual products available in 100 facilities by the fall of 2022 at a cost of about $165,000.
On Tuesday, the city confirmed they plan to have all dispensers installed by the end of October.
The city estimates that annual operating costs associated with the dispensers will be about $100,000.
The report considered by council makes reference to the fact that multiple other municipalities already have a similar program in place. In Toronto, menstrual products are provided for free at city-owned shelters, 24-hour respite sites and 24-hour drop-ins.
Last year, the Ontario government partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart to provide about six million sanitary pads to school boards across the province.
At the time, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said that menstrual products “are a necessity, not a luxury.”
“This agreement will help remove barriers for women and girls by allowing them to access products at school, free of charge. It is another important way that we are helping to build more inclusive schools that empower all girls to have the confidence to succeed.”
The program was funded for three years and the government said it would expand it to include other items such as tampons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.